The House of Representatives, in a session presided over by the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, PhD, GCON, continued plenary with deliberations on national security, public safety, infrastructure, education, and new legislative proposals.
Parliamentary Visit
The House admitted into the Chamber a delegation of Members of the Committee on Independent Constitutional Bodies of the Parliament of Ghana, who observed proceedings as part of inter-parliamentary engagement.
Public Petitions
Two petitions seeking justice and legislative redress were presented by Rep. Unyime Idem (APC, Akwa Ibom) and Rep. Patrick Umoh (APC, Akwa Ibom).
Matter of Urgent Public Importance
Alleged Genocide of Christians
The House rejected outright narratives framing Nigeria’s security challenges as a religious conflict or as State-sponsored persecution, reaffirming constitutional guarantees for freedom of religion and belief.
The House further mandated its Committees to coordinate, within 21 days, with the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Nigerian Embassy in Washington, D.C., to lodge a formal diplomatic demarche to the sponsors of S.2747 and relevant U.S. committees. The submission is to transmit empirical data and Nigeria’s official position.
This followed adoption of a motion on the *Urgent Need for a Coordinated Diplomatic and Domestic Response to the Proposed Nigeria Religious Freedom Accountability Act of 2025 (U.S. Senate Bill S.2747) and Mischaracterisation of Nigeria’s Security and Religious Freedom Landscape.
– Motion Sponsor: Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, PhD, CFR (APC, Abia)
Education Financing
The House mandated its Committees to investigate the operations of the Federal Scholarship Board on alleged mismanagement of scholarship funds and non-payment of stipends to Nigerian students abroad from 2015 to date, with a view to finding lasting solutions.
– Motion Sponsor: Rep. Chike Okafor (APC, Imo)
Security
1. The House called on the Nigerian Army and relevant military authorities to redeploy troops of the Multi-National Joint Task Force (MNJTF) to Kirawa border communities in Borno State, to strengthen security and protect residents from cross-border insurgent threats.
– Motion Sponsor: Rep. Ahmad Jaha (APC, Borno)
2. The House also urged State Governments, Traditional Institutions, and Community-Based Organisations to partner with security agencies in intelligence gathering and peacebuilding, in response to insecurity across rural communities, particularly in Kebbi State.
– Motion Sponsor: Rep. Ibrahim Mohammed (PDP, Yobe)
Public Safety
1. Following recent floods in Taraba State, the House tasked the Federal Government to strengthen dam security and develop early warning and flood management systems in affected LGAs.
– Motion Sponsor: Rep. Mohammed Audu (PDP, Taraba)
2. In honour of victims of the Ibaji boat mishap, the House mandated its Committees to interface with the Ministry of Transport and the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) on sustainable safety measures.
– Motion Sponsor: Rep. David Idris Zacharias (APC, Kogi)
Infrastructure
1. The House tasked the Federal Ministry of Works to include the reconstruction of the Kabba–Egbe Road in the 2026 Budget estimates, and to concession the road after reconstruction to a competent private company for maintenance funding.
– Motion Sponsor: Rep. Leke Abejide (ADC, Kogi)
2. The House urged the Nigeria Institute of Transport Technology (NITT) to complete and equip its Effuruntor Centre, Ughelli South, Delta State, to make it operational.
– Motion Sponsor: Rep. Francis Ejiroghene Waive (APC, Delta)
New Bills
Thirteen new legislative proposals were introduced, including the Nigeria Consumer Credit Corporation (Establishment) Bill, 2025, sponsored by Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, PhD, GCON, and Rep. Adewale Hammed.
Legislative Progression
Three bills scaled Second Reading, namely:
1. A Bill for the creation of additional LGAs in Gombe State
– Rep. Usman Bello Kumo (APC, Gombe) and five others
2. Chartered Institute of Business Development of Nigeria (Establishment) Bill – Rep. Billy Famous Osawaru (APC, Edo)
3. Code of Conduct Bureau and Tribunal Act (Amendment) Bill
– Rep. Terseer Ugbor (APC, Benue)
Report Presentation
The House received the Report of the Ad–hoc Committee on Rivers State Oversight of the Emergency Administration in Rivers State, presented by the Committee Chairman, Rt. Hon. Julius Ihonvbere, CON.
Legislative Oversight
Speaker Abbas named Rep. Victor Nwokolo (APC, Delta) as Chairman of the House Special Ad hoc Committee to investigate stakeholder concerns on the Digital, Electronic, Online or Non-Traditional Lending Regulations, 2025, issued by the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC).
